Back pain itself very excruciating that affects the regular activities. If we consider back pain after childbirth, that affects both mom and baby since along with back pain a mom cannot look after her baby meticulously.
This postpartum back pain does not leave a woman immediately after her delivery, it takes some time. If it is a cesarean case, due to the epidural injection the pain may last for years based on one’s anatomy.
What are the Causes of the Back Pain after Childbirth?
- Hormones play a key role here. During pregnancy, the body releases progesterone, and relaxin that helps in relaxing the joints in the pelvic bone, thus eases the pregnancy. As these hormones stay even after pregnancy, it causes low back pain.
- After pregnancy, a woman starts to gain weight that is absorbed in the knees and joints. The extra work of the organs triggers back pain.
- During pregnancy, the uterus expands. It causes an extra strain on the lower abdominal muscles and lower back.
- Lifting the baby for the whole day, sleeplessness, and extra physical activities trigger the back pain after delivery of a woman.
- While feeding the baby in an incorrect posture put stress on the lower back muscles that eventually lead to lower back pain.
- Exaggerated exercises after delivery definitely induce back pain.
Tips to Deal With BackPain After Child Birth
Back pain can be easily dealt with and prevented by the following steps:
- Try to begin exercising soon after your delivery to retain abdominal and back muscle tone. At least do ten minutes stretching exercise on the floor to restore hip and back flexibility.
- Do consult a Nutritionist and comply with a balanced diet to reduce weight. It helps in lessening the stress on the back muscles.
- Do not involve in more physical activity immediately after delivery and take rest as much as possible that too in the case of surgery. Your muscles and joints definitely need rest after the pregnancy stress.
- Do not stand for a prolonged time. While standing, place one foot on a low stool to take some pressure off from the back.
- Do maintain a proper position while sitting. While breastfeeding avoids leaning towards your baby and bring your baby near to your breast or lean on the wall, keep your child on the lap in a lifted posture. If you feel severe pain in the shoulder or upper back during breastfeeding, then lie down on your side to feed baby comfortably.
- Do not wear high-heels for at least one year after delivery
- Do not carry baby on one side of the hip for a long time which stretches the low back muscles. Keep your baby in a “front pack” and carry the baby safely.
- Always sleep in a comfortable, relaxed position along with pillows support.
- Do not pick up the things from the floor by straight bending. First, bend your knees, then hip and pick the things which minimize the strain on the back.
- Go for a soothing oil massage from an expert periodically. It supports in increasing blood circulation in the body and gives great relief and relaxation from aching muscles.
- You may have pain relief external ointment for back pain
- Giving hot water or cold water fomentation will provide immediate relief from the acute back pain
- Do avoid taking cold water baths after delivery whereas taking hot water bath helps in relaxing strained muscles and ligaments
- Consulting a physiotherapist, acupuncturist and doing breathing exercises will mitigate the back pain.
If still, you have back pain after several months of delivery, then do not delay to consult a doctor. If you experience the following symptoms, then rush to the hospital;
- Severe pain accompanied by fever.
- Numbness and tingling sensation in either leg.
- If you feel imbalanced.
The given tips should be followed consistently to mitigate and nullify the back pain. It helps your body to recover faster, brings to a healthy shape. Apart from all, giving birth to a baby is a blissful moment in a woman’s life. So, enjoy your pregnancy period and take care of yourself by following the detailed tips.
